Subiaco Players Have Impact at AFL Clubs in 2018

Subiaco has a proud history of Subiaco Lion players going on to experience success in the AFL system.

From the Eagles, to Geelong, Brisbane, Richmond and Sydney, former Lions players continue to make an impact in the AFL.

In 2018 there are nine Lions in the AFL system. Get an overview of how these nine Subiaco recruits found their way to their respective clubs and how they are performing in 2018 so far.

Daniel Rich

Daniel Rich was drafted by Brisbane in the 2008 National AFL draft with the 7th overall selection. With the retirement of Matt Priddis last season, Rich is now the longest tenured and highest game player currently playing AFL footy from the club. Rich had played 169 games of AFL footy, into his 10th season all of which have been played with the Brisbane Lions. Rich last year was awarded life membership of the Brisbane Lions after playing his 150th game. Rich is also a former AFL Rising Star Award winner. Rich has been a great servant for the lions averaging 19.5 disposals in his time there. After starting his career in the midfield, Daniel has now moved onto the half back flank where he providing experience and class to a young Brisbane squad. In 2018, Rich has had an injury hit start to the 2018 season, playing in just the four games, averaging 18 possessions per contest.

Callum Sinclair

Callum Sinclair was drafted by West Coast with their 12th overall selection in the 2013 AFL Rookie Draft. Sinclair would make his debut in round 2 of the 2013 AFL season for the Eagles, however it wasn’t until 2015 when he started to get regular games. He had a great 2015 season playing 20 games averaging 12 disposals and 18 hitouts, culminating in him being selected for the 2015 AFL Grand Final. Sinclair would be traded to the Sydney Swans following this season, and since has maintained consistent performances at the top level playing 72 games in his 6th season. Sinclair is having a career best season so far in 2018, having played all eight games for Sydney, averaging 15 possessions and 35 hitouts a contest. Sinclair is arguably the All-Australian ruckman for the first third of the AFL season with his ability to impact the contest in the air and at ground level.

Dom Sheed

Dom Sheed was Drafted by the West Coast Eagles in the 2013 National AFL Draft with the 11th overall selection. Dom would debut in round 1 of the 2014 AFL Season and would play 10 games in his rookie campaign. However, his 2015 campaign would be one to remember as he played in 20 games and would average 19.5 disposals leading him to a rising star nomination as well as a spot in the Eagles grand final squad. Although his 2016 campaign was cut short due to injury Dom would bounce back in the 2017 season averaging a personal best 22 disposals, firmly cementing his spot in the Eagles side. Sheed played the first six games of the 2018 season, taking his career game tally to 66, before a recent injury has set him back. In his six games, Sheed has averaged over 23 possessions a game so far in 2018.

Sam Menegola

Sam Menegola was first drafted by Hawthorn with the 19th overall selection in the 2011 AFL Rookie Draft, however he wouldn’t play a game during that year and would be delisted at the end of the year. Menegola would then be picked up by Fremantle in the following rookie draft, he would spend 3 injury interrupted years there and would be delisted, failing to play a game. However, Menegola would refuse to give up on his AFL dream, he spent the 2015 season with Subiaco where he averaged 27 disposals and 1.5 goals, culminating in him being drafted by Geelong in the 2015 Rookie Draft. Menegola would make his AFL debut in round 18 of the 2016 AFL season and has been a staple of the Cats side ever since as a key piece of a powerful Geelong midfield. Menegola enjoyed a career best end to 2017 as he picked up six Brownlow votes in the last four games of the season for the Cats. Menegola has played all eight games in 2018 so far for Geelong, averaging 22 possessions, 4 tackles and a goal a game. His last game against Collingwood was one of his best with 24 possessions and three goals.

Liam Ryan

Liam Ryan was drafted by the West Coast Eagles with the 26th overall selection in the 2017 National AFL Draft. After a strong first preseason with the Eagles he made his debut in round 1 of the 2018 AFL Season. Ryan would score his first goal in his debut match with a solid start to his AFL career. It was his second game though, where Ryan gave AFL viewers a look at the player that Subiaco fans had come to love and embrace. Ryan produced both a goal of the year and mark of the year contender as he collected 14 disposals 6 marks and booted 3 goals. His third game started off in the same way booting another 3 goals until he unfortunately injured his ankle. The injury is expected to keep Ryan out to mid-season before hopefully his high flying traits are back on display for the Eagles.

Brayden Ainsworth

Brayden Ainsworth was drafted by the West Coast Eagles with 32nd overall selection in the 2017 National AFL Draft. Ainsworth had a strong start to the season in the WAFL for East Perth averaging 24 disposals. These performances have been recognised by coach Adam Simpson as Ainsworth has been named emergency in 5 of the Eagles 7 games to date. Last week, Ainsworth was finally rewarded for his solid WAFL form, winning selection for his first AFL game. Ainsworth was involved in the games first moments, in the centre square and went on to have 14 possessions and lay 8 tackles, winning high praise for his thirst for the contest.

Kyron Hayden

Kyron Hayden was selected by North Melbourne with the 62nd overall selection in the 2017 National AFL Draft. Hayden’s North Melbourne career got off to a slow start as he was forced to miss almost all the preseason as well as the start of the VFL season, after having to undergo shoulder surgery. However, after persevering through this tough time Hayden was able to make his VFL debut in round 4 where he got his career off to a good start collecting 12 disposals in a big win. Although Hayden has had a delayed start to the year he will be hoping to push for AFL selection in the upcoming months, as he hopes to crack a young North Melbourne side.

Ben Miller

Ben Miller was selected by Richmond with the 63rd overall selection in the 2017 National AFL Draft. Richmond were eager to select Miller and have plans to develop him over time to be a key tall for the club. Miller has played all of the VFL games to start the year and has provided a great impact on the games he has played in. Although a slight hamstring issue may slow down Miller’s progression in the short term, he will hope to come back and continue to improve and maybe make his debut in due time.

Liam Baker

Liam Baker was selected by Richmond with the 18th overall selection in the 2018 AFL Rookie Draft. Baker has started his Richmond career very well, he has played 3 games in the VFL and has averaged 21 disposals in that time. In round 3 he had a standout performance when he recorded 20 disposals and 2 goals in a 35 point win for the Richmond VFL side. Although it will be very difficult to crack the reigning champions AFL side, if Baker keeps up this form then coach Damien Hardwick will have no choice but to consider him for his debut sooner rather than later.